Effect of lanthanum substitution on the Raman spectra of barium titanate thin films

Thin films of Ba_1−xLa_xTiO₃ on platinum substrates were synthesized using the sol–gel method for x values of 0.0, 0.03, 0.05, and 0.10, and the effect of trivalent La³⁺ substitution on the structural and dielectric properties was studied. Using X‐ray diffraction, structural analysis of these compositions revealed a slight increase in the tetragonal distortion of the unit cell with increase in La content. Accordingly, an increase in the tetragonal to cubic transition temperature T_T/C was detected by temperature‐dependent Raman spectroscopy in the range of 70–500 K. Unlike the results from Raman scattering for the La‐doped BaTiO₃ films, the dielectric measurements showed broad and diffused dielectric maxima, making the estimation of the transition temperature merely qualitative. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Mononuclear Dysprosium Alkoxide and Aryloxide Single-Molecule Magnets

Recent studies have shown that mononuclear lanthanide (Ln) complexes can be high-performing single-molecule magnets (SMMs). Recently, there has been an influx of mononuclear Ln alkoxide and aryloxide SMMs, which have provided the necessary geometrical control to improve SMM properties and to allow the intricate relaxation dynamics of Ln SMMs to be studied in detail. Here non-aqueous Ln alkoxide and aryloxide chemistry applied to the synthesis of low-coordinate mononuclear Ln SMMs are reviewed. The focus is on mononuclear Dy^III alkoxide and aryloxide SMMs with coordination numbers up to eight, covering synthesis, solid-state structures and magnetic attributes. Brief overviews are also provided of mononuclear Tb^III, Ho^III, Er^III and Yb^III alkoxide and aryloxide SMMs.     

Iron (III) Perchlorate Adsorbed on Silica Gel: A Reagent for Organic Functional Group Transformations

Adsorption of Fe(ClO₄)₃(H₂O)₆ onto chromatographic‐grade silica gel in the presence of organic solvents (S=water, acetonitrile, or lower fatty acids) produces a supported reagent, Fe(ClO₄)₃(S)₆/SiO₂. This reagent has been found to be effective for the rapid organic functional group transformations such as dimerization of alkynes, aromatic hydrocarbons, selective oxidation of thiols to disulfides, and transannular reactions in 1,5‐cyclooctadienes on grinding using pestle and mortar in the solid state.     

Modified Calcium Alginate Beads with Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate and Clay as Adsorbent for Removal of Methylene Blue

In present study, we have investigated the effect of an anionic surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and clay on calcium alginate beads was studied to remove methylene blue (MB) and to improve the adsorption capacity. The effects of various experimental parameters, such as shaking rate, initial dye concentration, temperature, and pH on the adsorption rate, have been studied. Equilibrium studies showed that the sorption of the dye was enhanced in presence of SDS. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis showed that SDS entrapped beads have more pores and cavities which could be responsible for improved adsorption of MB. The kinetics of cationic dye adsorption nicely followed pseudo-second-order process. The evaluated thermodynamic parameters (ΔG ^o, ΔH ^o, ΔS ^o) suggest endothermic adsorption of MB. The results revealed that the surfactant entrapped alginate could be considered as potential adsorbents for MB removal from aqueous solutions.     

Carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of potent antimalarials: Primaquine and chloroquine

C¹³ Nmr chemical shits of primaquine and chloroquine are reported. The signals are assigned on the basis of substituent effects on benzene shifts, intensities, multiplicities in SFORI) and the comparison with structurally related compounds.     

Cp*RhIII-Catalyzed Sterically Controlled C(sp3)−H Selective Mono- and Diarylation of 8-Methylquinolines with Organoborons**

Herein, the Rh^III-catalyzed selective monoarylation and diarylation (symmetrical and unsymmetrical) of 8-methylquinolines with organoboron reagents are disclosed. The selective monoarylation of primary C(sp³)−H bonds is achieved by using 7-substituted 8-methylquinolines or by changing the quantity of the aryl boronic acids. The method is also applicable for the arylation of 2-ethylpyridines, and the heteroarylation with thiophene-2-ylboronic acids. Symmetrical and unsymmetrical diarylation of 8-methylquinolines have been carried out in one-pot and sequential manner, respectively. Late-stage monoarylation of oxime derivatives and gram-scale synthesis of monoarylated products has also been carried out. A mechanistic study revealed that the current reaction is first order with respect to both reactants and a five-membered rhodacycle intermediate may be involved in the catalytic cycle.     

Homogeneously alloyed CdSxSe1-x nanocrystals: synthesis, characterization, and composition/size-dependent band gap

Alloy nanocrystals provide an additional degree of freedom in selecting desirable properties for nanoscale engineering because their physical and optical properties depend on both size and composition. We report the pyrolytic synthesis of homogeneously alloyed CdS(x)Se(1-x) nanocrystals in all proportions. The nanocrystals are characterized using UV-visible absorption spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffractrometry, and Rutherford backscattering spectrometry to determine precisely structure, size, and composition. The dependence of band gap on nanocrystal size and composition is elucidated, yielding a bowing constant of 0.29, in agreement with bulk values. In addition, the morphology of the resultant nanocrystals can be altered by changing the reaction conditions, generating structures ranging from homogeneous, spherical nanocrystals to one-dimensional gradient nanorods.